# NTSB LAX87LA190: Hughes 269B, N101DN, Rubidoux, CA, April 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 26, 1987, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Rubidoux, CA
- Coordinates: 33.990421, -117.440963 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9904&lon=-117.4410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 17, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25577
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25577/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA190

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - judgment - poor, dual student (cause)
  - instructions,written/verbal - disregarded, dual student (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - vertical takeoff - uncontrolled, dual student (cause)

## Analysis

A HUGHES 269B WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND DURING A T/O TO A HOVER. THE PILOT HAD PURCHASED THE AIRCRAFT RECENTLY AND WAS LEARNING TO FLY IT. HE WAS SCHEDULED FOR HIS FIRST FLIGHT LESSON ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. THE CFI REPORTED THAT HE HAD TOLD THE STUDENT PILOT TO WAIT FOR HIM AND NOT TO TOUCH ANYTHING. WHILE WAITING FOR THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, THE NON ROTORCRAFT RATED STUDENT PILOT STARTED THE AIRCRAFT, RAN IT UP TO FULL RPM, AND THEN BEGAN TO INCREASE THE COLLECTIVE PITCH CONTROL. THE HELICOPTER CLIMBED VERTICALLY TO A HIGH HOVER AND THE PILOT LOST CONTROL. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD NOT RELEASED THE CYCLIC FRICTION BEFORE BECOMING AIRBORNE. THE PILOT INDICATED HE HAD ABOUT500 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME BUT DID NOT SPECIFY THE TYPE AND NO SUBSTANTIATION OF THE TIME COULD BE MADE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N101DN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N101DN-2012-02-02), registration cancelled 2012-02-02, S/N 200451 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269B
- Registry model: [Hughes 269B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269b) (registry code 4470502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 200451
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cline Hogg
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 1987
- Departed: RIR, RUBIDOUX, CA
- Airport: RIR, Fla-Bob

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 1 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RAL, 3 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870426011359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870426011359A), Apr 26, 1987: Hughes 269B, Riverside/Rubid, CA, Destroyed. Non rated pilot owner ran up engine,raised collective. Climbed out of ground effect. Lost control and crashed.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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